The Campaign For DA

12.20.2017

I've watched this movie maybe at least three times. I think I'm going to put it into my top five of all time. It's West Texas. It's Texas Rangers. It's clever.

But this scene locks me in. I was talking to an old friend up at the courthouse yesterday and mentioned this is very similar what happened to us in the 1990s up, at what I believe, was the old Yesterday's restaurant up on the highway in Decatur. One of us asked the waitress for an extra roll. It did not go well. And we looked at each other like these Rangers do.

Language warning.

Edit: Some commentors have suggested it was a BBQ place. Upon reflection, I think they might be right.

This movie was filmed in New Mexico. I understand it was for financial reasons [they got a great deal from the state of New Mexico on financing and the availability of skilled local film crews]. I've watched and enjoyed the movie many times and have driven through the areas depicted in the story numerous times, but it's still a bummer for me that they chose to use New Mexico, regardless of the tax breaks they received.

Yes, this is a very good film and one of my favorites too. I watched in the theater in Fort Worth, it has a very limited release. And other commenters are right, it was filmed in New Mexico because Texas did away with its subsidies/tax breaks for film making. Its really too bad. Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite actors. His resume shows his diverse skills (The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart, Starman, TRON, The Last Picture Show, etc). He's one of the greatest.

Characters, characters, characters, that's why the movie is so good. Everybody has known or met someone just like the different characters in this movie. Heck you may have a relative like one of the many characters. That is why the movie seems so real.

Henry Beige: [digging a bullet out of a dead steer] If I wasn't so dad-blamed old, I wouldn't know what this is.John Brown: What is it?Henry Beige: It's a fifty-caliber bullet!John Brown: From what kind of gun?Henry Beige: A Sharps buffalo rifle! This is gettin' downright romantic!

I have to sort of agree with 11:15. This movie is more of a caricature of the area and its people than an actual representation. Simply check out the distances involved and the supposed time it takes them to get from one town to another and it's kind of obvious they stretched reality a bit.

The BBQ joint was Circle H. They moved to the old Dairy Queen early/mid 90's, then Raymond bought it when the owner of Circle H closed that location and the Weatherford location. Raymond then sold to Shawn when Raymond moved to Bridgeport. Shawn sold to Frilly's.

Little old lady used to bring the rolls by, she passed on and they had a picture of her at the Circle H for years, Raymond may have it now but not sure.